For developers raised on NetBeans, the transition to a modern, AI-first IDE like Cursor can feel like stepping from a familiar kitchen into a spaceship. Cursor is fast, sleek, and intelligent—but also minimalist and opinionated in ways that can clash with long-ingrained workflows.

While the benefits are real—AI-powered autocomplete, a VS Code ecosystem, and blazing performance—getting there isn't frictionless. Here’s a breakdown of the challenges you might face when trading the old-school reliability of NetBeans for the cutting-edge world of Cursor.

1. Comfort vs. Performance: Muscle Memory Fights Back

If you’ve used NetBeans for years, you’ve developed more than preferences—you’ve built instincts. Cursor strips much of that away.

NetBeans offers rich GUI interfaces for almost everything: running tests, inspecting services, managing databases, and even designing UIs. Cursor assumes you're comfortable with the keyboard, command-line tooling, and AI-driven suggestions. That means:

• You might search in vain for the familiar “New Class” wizard.
• There’s no Project Properties dialog—just settings.json and extensions.
• Multi-tab panes like Projects, Files, and Services are replaced with a single file explorer and fuzzy search.

Even basic things—like setting breakpoints or viewing the call hierarchy—can feel like a scavenger hunt until you rebuild your muscle memory.

2. Project Types: Java-Centric IDE vs. Language-Agnostic Editor

NetBeans is unapologetically Java-first. Cursor, built on top of VS Code, is language-agnostic with a heavy lean toward TypeScript and web tech.

In NetBeans, opening a Maven project just works. Dependencies resolve, code completion is accurate, and run/debug configurations are pre-wired. Cursor, by contrast, might require manual setup, extension installation, or build tool configuration before things behave.

You’ll especially feel the gap if:

• You rely on NetBeans' deep integrations with Tomcat, GlassFish, or Payara.
• You're working with Java EE or Jakarta EE.
• You use Ant or Maven-based desktop applications or GUI projects like JavaFX or Swing.

Cursor isn’t hostile to Java—it just assumes you’ll bring your own build setup and tools. And if you’re building something monolithic or backend-heavy in Java, the friction can be real.

3. AI-First Isn’t Always Instant Productivity

Cursor’s selling point is AI as a first-class IDE citizen. You can highlight a chunk of code and ask questions in natural language. It can autocomplete large blocks, summarize complex logic, or explain what a regex does.

That sounds magical. But here’s the catch:

• You need to know how to ask good questions.
• If you’re not careful, you’ll end up with plausible-looking code that doesn’t quite work.
• Relying too much on AI suggestions without fully understanding them can create technical debt faster than you realize.

For NetBeans users used to precision and manual control, AI-generated assistance might feel too ambiguous or too eager. There’s power here—but it takes time to wield it effectively.

4. Debugging: From Integrated Simplicity to DIY Configs

NetBeans’ Java debugger is battle-tested. Step-through debugging, conditional breakpoints, thread inspectors—it all works without fuss. Cursor takes a lighter approach.

Debugging in Cursor means configuring launch.json, installing the right Java extensions, and occasionally fiddling with your environment variables. Once set up, it works—but the ramp-up is nontrivial. Especially if you're used to clicking “Debug Project” and just watching your app go.

Expect growing pains around:

• Remote debugging.
• Attaching to running processes.
• Inspecting heap or thread state.

You can get there—but you’ll spend time on StackOverflow and GitHub issues along the way.

5. Build Systems & Tooling Expectations

NetBeans likes to manage things for you. It handles your pom.xml, runs your tests, and offers rich visual interfaces for everything from profiling to deployment.

Cursor assumes the opposite: that you're running mvn test in the terminal and linting via command-line tools or preconfigured tasks. It’s not worse—it’s just manual.

This also means you’ll need to:

• Install your preferred formatter and linter manually.
• Set up test runners (JUnit, Jest, etc.) via extensions or scripts.
• Configure build outputs explicitly.

This shift gives you more control, but it also exposes you to more moving parts.

6. Extension Overload: From All-In-One to Choose-Your-Own Adventure

NetBeans is an IDE in the traditional sense: batteries included. Cursor inherits the VS Code approach—start small, add what you need. This is liberating and dangerous.

You’ll be faced with decisions like:

• Which Java extension pack is best?
• Do I need the AI inline autocomplete and the chat panel?
• Should I install a test runner plugin or wire up CLI scripts?

Each choice adds power—but also fragility. Some extensions conflict. Some silently fail. And keeping your environment stable across machines or teams becomes another layer of complexity.

The Bigger Picture

The move from NetBeans to Cursor is more than just switching editors. It’s a philosophical shift—from IDE-managed workflows to lean, scriptable, AI-augmented development. From safe defaults to fast iteration. From vertical integration to composable tooling.

Cursor can be faster. It can be smarter. But it doesn’t hold your hand—and it won’t protect you from misusing the power it gives.

Is It Worth It?

If you're building Java apps for enterprise deployment, NetBeans might still serve you better. But if you're living in a polyglot world, hopping between Python, Node, TypeScript, and Go—and if you're ready to leverage AI as a coding assistant—Cursor can open new doors.

Just don’t expect a painless transition. Expect friction. Expect to feel slow before you feel fast again.

And once you’ve adjusted… you might never want to go back.